Fort McMurray and Fort McMurray Oilsands - September 28

Our visit to Fort McMurray coincided with James Cameron's visit and the entourage of media who were visiting Fort Chip and the Oilsands sites.

Fort McMurray was a picture of Autumn splendor...the colors were breathtaking.

A joint evening of rotary fellowship, complete with musicians from Keyano College, brought both clubs from this rotary community together.

Youth exchange students Ploy from Thailand and Marieike from Germany were introduced.

Two new members inducted to the Oilsands club - welcome to Rotary Lynn Beavan and Barry Duncan. Rotaract students were on hand to update the members on their activities and added to the evening celebration.

Assistant Governor Frank Reitz described the donation made by a deceased member of the McMurray club of 11 Paul Harris Fellowships to his grand children. Rtn Terry Cooper (Oilsands) was recognized for a recent donation to the Rotary Foundation.

We met President Barb Reitz (Fort McMurray Club) and her Board on Monday September 27 and enjoyed learning about their Bold plans for the coming year.

Fort McMurray chartered in 1977 has a long history of service and ambitious plans for their Rotary Park Recreation Lease Campground and 18 hole golf course...Other projects have included:
$2.7 million to build Rotary House
HUB Literacy Program
Shelterbox 426,000
AEDs Defibulators $32,000
Imagination Library
Singing 4 Supper - Food bank $4,000
Lifeline Program $100,000
Rotary Park
Air Cadet
Youth Exchange program
Integrity Awards
Gazebo
...

Assistant Governor Frank Reitz was on hand to provide background on the club and their recreation lease received from the Province of Alberta 30 years ago.

Fort McMurray Oilsands (chartered in 1983) members led by president Helen Duncan and her Board met Tuesday morning to review District 5370 and RI programs.

To name a few of their projects:
Sponsor of Oilsands Music Festival
Disc Golf Course ($80,000 budget) involving 16 schools
Hope International - Ethiopia Water Project, clean water to 100,000
Sponsor of Rotaract Club
Coats for Kids
Food Bank
Canadian Mental Health
Instrumental in bringing 911 services to Fort McMurray
1st Handi-bus to community
Junior Achievement -Stay in School Program
Leadership Wood Buffalo
Haiti Shelterbox
Children's Centre
Youth Exchange...

Well done Fort McMurray...

Edmonton Sunrise - September 24

What a great venue for Rotary- Selkirk Hotel, Fort Edmonton Park.

Mayor Stephen Mandell was a special guest at this meeting bringing greetings from the city - apologizing for the road construction and thanking Rotarians for the service they provide to the City of Edmonton.

A number of other guests were welcomed by President Jim, including my Mom, Joan Jewell and her friend Clare Drummond. Also in attendance was my nephew Kyle. (Happy 16th Birthday Kyle - Kyle is son of Rtn Wendy MacDonald from Edmonton Mayfield)

Edmonton Sunrise Club has an amazing record of helping out impoverished youth in the west end schools. A great commitment of support...

Youth programs and Interact will be growing as New Generations of Service - our new 5th Ave. of Service is recognized.

Two major fund raisers - Dancing for the Kids will take place on November 19th
check out www.dancingforthekids.com and Trains, Boats and Planes Dinner and Auction in the Spring.

Chartered in 2003 and sponsored by Edmonton Mayfield will be exploring opportunities to partner in future projects the Park. Stay tuned...as member Jeff Polovick has some ideas for growing Rotary presence Bigger! Better! Bolder!

Stony Plain - September 22

President Chuck Morrison has embraced the 2010-2011 Rotary theme. ASK him about the New member luncheons

Congratulations to Past-President Dee Louis (2009-2010)and club members for growing Rotary as a co-sponsor of the Parkland Rotary After Dark Club.

To name only a few of the projects:
Rotary Run for Life - now involves all 3 clubs (Spruce Grove and Parkland After Dark)
Spray Park
habitiat for Humanity
Great White North Triathalon water station
Carol Fest (food bank)
Malawi Girl's School and Microcredit
Project Amigo
PolioPlus
Belize Literacy Program
Possible project in Peru and Youth Emergency Shelter in Stony Plain
...
Rotary Day publicity and public awareness is great - keep on sharing your story.

This club was sponsored by Barrhead - 25 years ago and looking forward to a celebration May 7, 2011.

Edmonton Avenue of Nations - September 21

President Nancy Field and her energetic team from Edmonton Avenue of Nations have sponsored a soccer tournament for students from 8 inner city schools which now has grown into an annual event. The Board of Directors have discussed how this tournament may serve as a springboard to develop relationships within the schools and introduce EarlyAct, Interact programs.

Watch for details of their annual Lunar Chinese New Year's Dinner and student Art exhibition in January

Congratulations to Past President Donna Nichols for building this club over 2009-2010. Donna was honored by her club with a Paul Harris Fellowship.

This club meets at the Petroleum Club on Thursday at 12:15 pm.

We look forward to your continued success as you grow your club.

RLI Rotary Leadership Institute Faculty Training September 17

Thanks to Rotarian Brent Collingwood (Edmonton Riverview) for organizing a great day of Rotary Leadership Training and learning. Twenty Rotarians spent the day learning how to facilitate RLI sessions that will be conducted across the District. This is the second faculty training day for District 5370.

We were fortunate to have Past Rotary International Vice President Monty Audenaut from Red Deer and Chris Offer, Regional Foundation Chair, Rotary Club of China Town (D5040) facilitate the day. Thank you Monty and Chris!

Watch for RLI workshops coming to your community. RLI will strengthen your club and connect members to Rotary. Watch for details on http://rotary5370.org

Edmonton Northeast September 17

President Shirley Smith started this meeting with her Rotary Rant and brought us all up to date on Polio Campaign. The meeting had a packed agenda which included welcoming Rotary Regional Foundation Chair from District 5040 and the Rotary Club of China Town Chris Offer.

Also attending this meeting was AG Bill Metcalf (his own club) and Don Lowry, chair of the D5370 Permanent Fund.

Chris and Don recognized Rotarian Keith Evans for his donation to the Bequest Society. Thanks Keith! Keith is a fairly new Rotarian who was on a rotary scholarship sponsored by a club in Nova Scotia. Brenda - your work as chair of Annual Fund is paying off. Thank you!

Lots of fun and recognition of members...

This club currently has 15 projects on the go and is preparing for their annual Champions for Children Dinner and Auction November 13. Creating Great Spaces, Places and Happy Faces.... Lots of support for youth including RYLA, RYPEN and a new Interact Club. After discussion with the Board, an EaryAct club at Glengarry School might be a possibility...

Continuation and expansion of sanitation program in Ecuador, Brazil and support for Malawi student continue to be part of NE plans.

THANK YOU Edmonton Northeast for the Paul Harris recognition and donation to the Rotary Foundation - this was a surprise and an honour.

I've included the words to RI President Ray's theme song Cowboy Logic and hope this will become an addition to your songbook for 2010-2011 as you continue Building Communities;Bridging Continents

Check out the lyrics - there is a message for us. Enjoy

I think PDG Ross should be adding this to his repertoire. Brenda - you can sing! Thanks for the iphone help Ross.
****************************************************************
Cowboy Logic
There's a great American hero, we all look up to
When the times are hard and the chips are down,
he knows just what to do
Now a cowboy's got a set of rules that he lives by day to day
If you ask for his advice, he'll more than likely say
If it's a fence, mend it. If it's a dollar bill, spend it
Before if burns a hole down in them jeans
It it's a load, truck it. If it's a punch, duck it.
If she's a lady, treat her like a queen
That's cowboy logic, every cowboy's got it
It's in the way he lives his life and the songs he sings
That's cowboy logic, every cowboy's got it
He's got a simple solution to just about anything
If it's a job, do it. Put your back in to it.
'Cause a little bit of dirt's gonna wash off in the rain
If it's a horse, ride it. If it hurts, hide it.
Dust yourself off and get back on again.
That's cowboy logic, every cowboy's got it
It's in the way he lives his life and the songs he sings
That's cowboy logic, every cowboy's got it
He's got a simple solution to just about anything
An old cowboy and a young buckaroo were workin', ridin' fence
The old hand was testin' the kid - on his skill and common
sense
He said "Son, if you seen three men in a pickup truck,
dressed alike from boot to hat,
could you tell which one was the real cowboy,
just from where he sat?"

The kid scratched his head awhile and then he said
"Well, there ain't no way to know".
The old hand grinned and then he said
"Kid, you've still got a ways to go.

The real cowboy's the one in the middle.
He ain't there just by fate.
'Cause first he don't have to drive, and then
he don't have to mess with the gate"
That's cowboy logic, every cowboy's got it
It's in the way he lives his life and the songs he sings
That's cowboy logic, every cowboy's got it
He's got a simple solution to just about anything
He's got a simple solution to just about anything

Spruce Gover September 16

This club knows how to organize and get things done! They also know how to have fun - we got to see them in action at the Rotary bonspiel in Athabasca.

The upcoming polioplus gala with Danny Katz November 24th will be another opportunity for this club to share Rotary's story and #1 humanitarian service effort.

President Allan Pawlowich has a great team and plan in place to get members involved and grow their club. Public Relation and communications (an award winning club) as well as strong, active committees are the key.

To names a few of their projects...

Habitat for Humanity, Park Clean up, Festival of Trees, Construction of a Playscape, regular support for blood donar clinics, Rotary Run for Life (now a big event in parkland with 3 Rotary Clubs involved) - Internationally, the club has partnered with Whitecourt to send containers to Africa and Brazil; Disaster Aid to Chile - support for Belize and Malawi Girls School is on-going.

New Generations programs are well supported and with the Interact starting up as a project of Parkland Rotary After Dark - youth in the community will experience firsthand the opportunities to serve and contribute. Adventures programs, RYLA and youth exchange are planned.

It was my honour to present to Past President Brad Mastaler the club extension award as co-sponsor of the parkland Rotary After Dark club in Stony Plain.

Check out the website www.rotaryclubofsprucegrove.com

Strategic planning (next community project and Children of Ecuador Hospital equipment project to be discussed)

Thanks Spruce Grove for your leadership in serving your community and the world!

Grande Cache September 15

A beautiful drive from Jasper to Grande Cache...with a welcoming Rotary Club now beginning it's third year.

For a new and growing club, the presence of Rotary as the only service club in the area is noted by Mayor Louise Krewusik who was in attendance at the meeting on September 15th. Also in attendance were a number of guests including school Trustees.

Past President Brent Ollie and President Donna Spencer have led the charge to grow Rotary in this community.

Their first major project - a playground on the Grande Cache Lake is close to being completed. The bear safe recycle bins are ready to be distributed in the community. The club sponsors/member of Yellowhead Rotary Arts Festival, Food Bank promotion, partner in community events such as the Death Race - ask members about the Rotary Death Fest.

Internationally, the club purchases hospital equipment for Ghana and financially support Project Amigo. They hope to be ambassadors for SHELTERBOX.

Fund raisers includehttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif - Quad raffle (they are pros now), shop and save cards and running concessions for community events.

Club Members hosted the visiting GSE team from Nigeria and Brazil - and of course Rose Delorme has participated as a team member for two years. Thanks you for welcoming our friends from around the world.

Rotarian Brent showed us banners of visiting Rotarians - Austria and Australia. Their rotary entry in the parade was fun.

Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) will be held in GC on October 30th. PDG Ross Tyson and Brenda along with some leaders from Whitecourt will be joining you for this day of Rotary learning and fellowship.

Bigger - Better - Bolder Rotary is the agenda for this club.

Jasper September 14

Jasper in the fall...the mountains, the colors of fall were a perfect setting for our visit to Jasper. Thanks President Paul Butler for introducing us to Bear Hill Lodge.

The Jasper club meets in the Sawmill Inn and is welcoming to visitors. jasper has been most welcoming to our visiting GSE teams. Thank you! jasper has also had two teachers from their community volunteer in Belize (District 5370 Belize Literacy Program). Welcome new member Heather Young Leslie.

An exciting new initiative for this club in partnership with the Jasper library is the Global Communications and Learning Center..which will assist foreign workers and visitors in their jasper stay. Plans are underway to further develop Jasper Rotary web presence and incorporate and fan page (social media)

Internationally, members of the Jasper Club have been working in Rwanda for many years (Neil and Jill Fenton call this their second home - great to see Jill after many years) Will Rushton and others continue to support the wheelchair project. Lots of international experience and service from members of this club

New Generations programs - YEX with Hinton Club, Adventure Programs, RYPEN and support for the communities' youth leadership programs will build and strengthen this great club. Two members of this Board have participated in Rotary's Youth Exchange Program.

The club's Fiesta Night raised $4000 for Polioplus and the upcoming lobster night is a popular social event in Jasper, not to mention a great fundraiser.

Congratulations Jasper...we look forward to seeing you in Athabasca next June. We are just down the river...the Athabasca River!

Thank you AG Thelma Maris from Edson - for joining us.

Edmonton - September 13

2016 will be the 100th year of this club, which was the 214th club in Rotary to be chartered. President Jim Greenough and his dynamic Board are committed to the strong tradition of Rotary service in the Edmonton area.

The Edmonton Club has impacted the lives of many through their legacy projects:
2004 - $1.6 M, 25 suite Millenium House
2005 - $400K to Bissell Centre and Lauana Shelter
2006 - $500K Rotary Center for New Canadians
2008 + $300K to the Canadian Council for Advancement of African Canadians...

The list of projects also include financing projects in Kenya, South Africa (van purchase), Ecuadorial medical mission, Bangledesh (sports supplies), India (reading machines for blind), Nepal and Bolivia (water Projects), Rhodes, Greece (firefighting equipment), Belize Literacy Program, Polioplus...

Thank you for supporting Kids in the Hall program...we appreciate the opportunity to visit this great venue/project.

On September 13th, the club introduced exchange student Arthur from Belgium and honoured one of the talented leaders in this club, Russ Mann with his 20 year badge. It was great to have Russ, DGE Harry Buddle and Joel David out to the District RLI Faculty Training on Saturday.

Thanks also to Mike Nabavi for your fundraising efforts for Pakistan. Link to donate

This club will continue to be active in the District as plans are developed to host the District 5370 conference under Gayle Head and AG Gordon Deeks. The district will be there to support you! Members of the Edmonton Club are welcome to attend Athabasca in June 2011 for this year's conference.

It was a great honour for Wayne and I to have son Daryn (CVB) and his associate Claude from Quantum Valuations as well as Patty Hobal, CA with Pederson Walker in attendance. It was especially fun to have member Dick Shuhany thank us at the end of the meeting. Dick is a long time friend and was best man for the Hobals. The family of Rotary is far reaching...

Thanks Edmonton Rotarians for all you do!